Bill to boost STEM education advances

SANTA FE – Legislation that would require the state to adopt national standards for science and math cleared the House Education Committee on an 8-3 vote Wednesday.

House Bill 211, sponsored by Bill McCamley, D-Las Cruces; G. Andres Romero, D-Albuquerque; and Christine Trujillo, D-Albuquerque, would require the Public Education Department to adopt the K-12 Next Generation Science Standards for New Mexico schools.

The standards were written by the National Research Council, the staff arm of the National Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with leaders in both science education and business, and are designed to prepare students for college and careers, according to the legislative analysis of the bill. They establish a framework that incorporates the application of technology and engineering in addition to science and mathematics, according to a press release from House Democrats.

“It is important that we adopt these new standards so our students are prepared for the high-quality jobs and careers in the STEM fields. To fall behind our national counterparts is not an option,” McCamley said. “If we are serious about the well-being of our kids and the opportunities they can obtain through their hard work, then we need to be on the cutting-edge of how we educate them.”

The bill has now advanced to the House floor, and has been placed on the temporary calendar.